¤ About MargaoA
bustling town and the headquarters of South Goa District, Margao has an old
worldly charm about it. In the ancient times, it was a major religious
center, dotted by a number of temples and other shrines. Today, countless
tourists from across the world flock here to witness its ancient cultural
heritage and traditional customs of the people of Goa. Surrounded by fertile
farmland, the town has always been an important agricultural market, and was
once a major religious centre, with dozens of wealthy temples and
Dharamshalas - however; most of these were destroyed when the Portuguese
adsorbed the area into their Novas Conquistas during the 17th century.

¤ Major Tourist Attractions
of Margao» Beaches - Some of Goa's top
beaches near Margao are : Colva : Colva beach, 6 km from Margao, has a
throbbing nightlife but a somewhat downmarket ambience by day. Colva's
highly commercialised with resort complexes, large holiday crowds, trinket
stalls, discos and restaurants and the waterfront is clean and the water's
safe for swimming.

» Benaulim - Benaulim
lies right in the centre of Colva, 7 km west of Margao. Benaulim is a
popular tourist hotspot with a crop of luxury resorts, time-share
apartments, guesthouses and moderately priced hotels. Despite its
popularity, Benaulim still has an air of tranquility: the beachfront is
beautiful, with silver sands, shady palm trees and safe waters.

»
Mobor - Mobor is the spot where Colva ends and the River Assolna
meets the sea. The beach at Mobor lies in a sheltered cave overlooked by
cliffs on one side - it makes for a picture perfect setting.

»
Majorda - Majorda lies 2 km north of Colva, and is a pretty beach
dominated by a luxury resort, hotels, restaurants, shops, boutiques and the
best European bakeries in Goa. South of Margao lie a host of quieter, more
isolated beaches; venture beyond Cape Rama to the peace and beauty of the
beaches at Palolem and Galgibaga- perfect for a day away from the crowds of
bathers swarming around the more visited beaches. Similar to other parts of
South Goa, the Margao weather is tropical in nature.

¤
AccommodationWith Colvo and Benaulim a mere twenty-minutes bus ride
away the accommodation options are available in plenty at Margao. GTDC
Tourist Hotel is standard budget hotel one can stay in at Margao.

¤
ShoppingStretching from the south edge of the main square to the
old railway station, the local bazaar of Margao is a haven for avid
shoppers. Tourists explore these humble shops in search of artifacts that
would encapsulate their experience in Goa. Goa Handicrafts Industries
Development Corporation emporium in Margao is another source of artifacts
and handloom materials. The Colva beach is a popular shopping destination in
Margao. You can scour the beachside shopping stalls for souvenirs and
beachwear.

What adds color to the shopping experience is the
inimitable style of the Goan vendors most of whom are womenfolk attired in
colorful dresses. The products in display are manifold including fresh and
dried fish, incense, spices, vegetables, and souvenirs from other states of
India. The famous traditional spirits of Goa such as toddi and feni are
perennial favorites among locals and tourists. Shopping in Mapusa would be
incomplete without a visit to the renowned Wednesday flea market of Anjuna
beach.

¤ Climate of MargaoSummer
- The summer weather in Margao is reasonably warm with temperatures climbing
up to the higher thirties. As south-west monsoon sets in June, sporadic
rainfalls lash the plains. There is a marked rise in humidity levels during
this period.

Winter - Winter months usher in a pleasant weather in
Margao. The winter season lasts from December to February with the mercury
plummeting down a few notches.

Clothing - While planning for a
trip to Margao, you don't need make a fuss over packing the right set of
apparels since the weather is more or less salubrious throughout the year.
One do bring along some beachwear if you want to return back with a toned
physique. Margao being the commercial hub of Goa, hard core shoppers can
look forward to a rollicking time in this city. Apart from high-end malls
and shopping plazas, Margao's local bazaar is well-known for the wealth of
indigenous artifacts and souvenirs. Crochet work, carved furniture, shell
work, bamboo work, brassware, curios and old coins, trinkets etc., an
endless variety of items would leave you spellbound.

¤
How To Reach Margao» Rail - Margao's new
Train station, the only stop in Goa for most long distance express services
on the Konkan Railway, lies 3-km south of the centre. The Reservation office
(Monday-Saturday, 8.00 am-4.30 pm, Sunday 8.00 am- 2.00 pm) is divided
between the ground and the first floor; bookings for the superfast Rajdhani
Express to Delhi are made at the hatch to the left of the main entrance.
Tickets for trains for Mumbai are short in supply so make sure to book the
tickets well in advance. There is also a 24-hour Information Centre and
round-the-clock pre-paid auto rickshaw stand outside the exit.

»
Road - Local private buses to Colva and Benaulim leave from in
front of the Kamat hotel on the east side of Margao's main square. Long
distance bus services one can get at the main Kadamba Bus Stand, 3-km
further north, on the outskirts of the town. This is also the departure
point for interstate services to Magalore, via Chaudi and Gokarn, and for
services to Panjim and North Goa.